From January to June 2016 we were making workshops with refugees as preparation for Before I die performance.

The goal of these workshops was to start diving into the refugee’s story, giving them a tool to express themselves and start gathering images and video content for our performance in July in Stadthaus Ulm. If during this process we discover talented movers, actors or musicians, we also have a chance to include them in our performance.

Here are some of our workshops.

MOVEMENT WORKSHOPS

On 17th January we made our first movement workshop with refugees. It took place in the Ballet Saal of Theater Ulm. 19 refugees from Keplerhalle refugee center participated, brought by some volunteers of  Menschlichkeit organization.

We started the creation experience with a warming up and gave the refugees some individual and group tasks, like crawling on the floor in a chain or searching each others hands with their eyes shut. They all participated with excitement and concentration. Some movements were recorded from different views and cameras. To finish the workshop, the refugees showed and teached us a couple of traditional syrien dances.  It was a complete success.

Here a video of some of the exercises we asked them to do:

All these people collaborated in this first workshop:

Pablo Sansalvador directed the workshop with Yuka Kawazu Nazabal, Dan Glazer and Julia Baukus; dancer and actors. They all created the content and managed the ‪dance‬ and ‪theater‬ ‪workshop.

Andreas Hauslaib, visual designer and Andreas Usenbenz, visual and sound designer made all the video and voice recording,

Menschlichkeit, Ulm refugee organization, brought all the refugees and translators.

Cecilia Espejo, producer, coordinated the workshop.

We had Tommi Brem and Tareq Dalbah also supporting us in the management and translation.

Theater Ulm left us the Ballet Saal, where the workshop took place.

Tommi Brem: ‘It was amazing to see the transformation in everyone from being reserved and even embarrassed to an absolute concentration in some participants and commitment all over.’

Cecilia Espejo:  ‘It was incredible to see how much commitment the refugees had. They took every task really seriously, but always with a smile in their face. You could see they were really taking the chance to express themselves. Our team was amazed and greatful. We are looking forward to the next one.’

Menschlichkeit: ‘We were absolutely touched on how excited the young men from Syria were.  They were highly concentrated during these 2 hours. Finally, they teached us an Arab dance and we danced it together! A wonderful experience thanks to Moving Rhizomes and to our volunteers !’

MORE MOVEMENT WORKSHOPS

MOVEMENT WORKSHOP WITH REFUGEES AND KIDS FROM ISU Ulm (International School of Ulm – Neu Ulm)

Here our last movement workshop with kids from the international schools Ulm.

OUR MUSIC WORKSHOP

Last14th February we had our first Music workshop. For gathering refugees that could be interested on singing or playing any instrument we went to Keplerhalle with two musicians from Adran d’Sastre. It was an amazing experience. Refugees welcome the group and aplouse them like crazy. They started joining them with their voices and asked them to borough their instruments. One started asking them to play one traditional syrien song. Adrian d’Sastre improvised and everyone started to sing. Here a small video where you could see this atmosphere:

Our Jam was amazing. Here a video where you could see how successful it was.

OUR THEATER WORKSHOPS

Here our theater workshop with refugees with Dan Glazer and Julia Baukus.

OUR DRUMS WORKSHOP

Some other workshops were made in other refugee settlements as well as collaborative workshops in the International School of Ulm / Neu-Ulm where students and refugee children will express themselves together.

Here our vimeo page where you can see all these workshops and rehearsals.

https://vimeo.com/movingrhizomes